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justinnnutt's avatar
justinnnutt
Explorer
Mar 20, 2019

Reseal roof??

Looking for some advice on maintaining my RV roof. Attached are two pictures. First question is what kind of roof do I have.
The white stuff is very powdery when I touch it. And second is how to maintain it. Do I need to reseal it?
Thanks!



https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tz1T5u_GaLdm5mBTSF6iKPk-QQbZ0YC9/view?usp=drivesdk
  • Pictures didn’t make it. Please resend. Have you been carefully inspecting at least every six months?
  • https://dicorproducts.com/product/dicor-epdm-rubber-roofing-2/
    From Dicor, includes care and maint.
    Owned mine for 13 years and so far have never cleaned the roof. Sits in full sun and not under trees.
  • I use Camco Wash and Wax for cleaning the RV. I use it on the roof, the sides and front and back and even the awning both top and underneath.

    I do this once in the spring and once in the fall.
    Once I wash it, I check all the seals around all the roof fixtures (Vents, AC, Antenna, Ladder mounts, Fridge vents, plumbing vents, etc.). If any have cracks, pin holes or places that water may be able to seep into, I apply some Self Leveling Dicor or some Eternabond tape, which ever seems to be the best fit for the situation.

    Water intrusion is the number one enemy of campers. Your roof, the seams in it near things mounted to it along with the edges where it meets the front, sides and back are high risk area's water can get in. Being faithful about doing inspections and catching any tears, holes, punctures or wearing BEFORE you notice a water stain on the ceiling is the best way to keep your camper in good working condition for a long time.
  • If you have a fiberglass roof, the gel coat chalks up pretty early. Rather than resealing, if the glass fibers are not sticking out of the roof surface, get a gallon of ZEP commercial floor wax at Home Depot and just apply it with a rag. Does a fine job of gluing down the powder and will stop streaking down the sidewalls for a year. I'm sure it provides some UV protection, too. In the years since I started doing this each spring, it has seemed to put roof deterioration on hold. I used to use Henry white roofing sealant (from HD also) and it would last about 3 years before the streaks started again. A lot easier and quicker to just mop on the wax and you should be getting up on the roof every year to make sure all the seams and penetrations look OK, anyway.
  • garyemunson wrote:
    If you have a fiberglass roof, the gel coat chalks up pretty early. Rather than resealing, if the glass fibers are not sticking out of the roof surface, get a gallon of ZEP commercial floor wax at Home Depot and just apply it with a rag. Does a fine job of gluing down the powder and will stop streaking down the sidewalls for a year. I'm sure it provides some UV protection, too. In the years since I started doing this each spring, it has seemed to put roof deterioration on hold. I used to use Henry white roofing sealant (from HD also) and it would last about 3 years before the streaks started again. A lot easier and quicker to just mop on the wax and you should be getting up on the roof every year to make sure all the seams and penetrations look OK, anyway.


    that sure doesn't look like fiberglass to me. either rubber or tpo.
    bumpy